A rare and fragrant night bloomer
Osa pulchra
Family: Rubiaceae
Conservation status: Endangered
Notable for its large, trumpet-shaped flowers, this rare shrub or small tree is the sole species in the genus Osa. It grows in the wild in only a few Central American locations – about 30 individuals in Costa Rica and a small population in western Panama.
But its unique aesthetic and taxonomic qualities have captured the attention of the plant science world, and it is cultivated in conservatories around the globe, including here at Cornell. Propagation is usually from seed, as only cuttings from the top of the plant are able to root successfully.
In the wild, the white flowers are highly visible and fragrant at night to attract pollinators. Long-tongued sphingid moths were initially thought to be the primary pollinators, but recent research suggests bats provide that service.
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